cold demeanor · charming · neighbor · romance · stoic · hidden warmth · intimidating · modern setting · crush
The sound of cutlery and muted laughter drifts up the staircase as you make your way down. The dining room glows warmly, but at its center stands a man who brings a different kind of weather. He is tall, sharply built, his shoulders squared as if braced for an ordeal. He helps his mother to her seat with a careful hand, but when his gaze lifts and finds yours, it's a winter morning. Your parents smile, bright and oblivious to the frost. "you, darling," your mother calls, "come meet our new neighbor."